Chapter 644    Each has its own plans (55)

Liu Bei left Guan Yu to guard the city, which was also considered a wise man.

If Zhang Fei was left to defend the city, he would always be brave and conceited. If Cao Cao sent someone to fight him one-on-one, Zhang Fei would probably be unable to help but go out of the city to fight.

Especially when an opponent like Xu Zhu is in a strong battle, Zhang Fei often can't stop. The possibility of catching up is very high, and he will inevitably fall into Cao Cao's plan.

But Guan Yu was much more stable. After he got the news that Liu Bei and Zhang Fei were defeated and were missing, he began to consider a way out.

He only had more than 3,000 troops in his hand, and there was not enough defense to defend the city, not to mention the tens of thousands of elite troops that defeated Cao Cao. If Cao Cao was determined, he would sooner or later break the city.

Guan Yu decided to close the city gate and not be able to defend it.

The reason why he did not abandon the city and escape was to defend their brothers' last foothold, delay time, wait for news from Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, and then make plans.

Although Xia Pi City is not a strong city, it cannot be captured casually.

When Tao Qian held Xia Pi, it took Cao Cao nearly half a year to conquer it.

Although Guan Yu has few troops, if he wants to capture Guan Yu, he has to attack the city.

Once the offensive and defensive sides are red in their eyes, there will definitely be many soldiers who will be killed.

At that time, it was even more difficult for Cao Cao to surrender Guan Yu.

Even if Guan Yu agreed to surrender, his generals who had lost their troops would not be willing.

Cao Cao also used Cheng Yu's plan to win Guan Yu out of the city, then cut off his retreat and capture him alive, but Guan Yu was prepared for it, but he just didn't take the bait, which made Cao Cao look at him with admiration.

Cao Cao first sent Xiahou Dun as the vanguard and led 5,000 troops to fight, but Guan Yu couldn't stand it.

Xiahou Dun sent people to insult the city, but Guan Yu just ignored it.

Cao Cao sent Xu Huang and Xu Chu to the city to challenge, but Guan Yu still closed the city and refused to leave.

Guan Yu could afford to be able to hold on, but Cao Cao could not.

He was always worried that Yuan Shao would lead the army to attack Xudu, especially after Liu Bei fled to Qingzhou, he would soon see Yuan Shao.

Maybe Yuan Shao had been persuaded by Liu Bei and was about to send troops to Puyang, so Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao, who volunteered to persuade Guan Yu to surrender.

Heard that Guan Yu had the conditions to surrender, Cao Cao immediately asked Zhang Liao to recount the three conditions proposed by Guan Yu.

The first condition, on the surface, is that Guan Yu does not want to follow Cao Cao personally, but in fact, it also means accusing Cao Cao of being a powerful minister.

The second condition is that Guan Yu intends to protect his two sisters-in-law. On the surface, he is afraid that others will be rude to Liu Bei's wife and children, but in fact he is guarding against Cao Cao.

It is not the first time that Cao Cao has done to kill his husband and take over his wife.

Since ancient times, heroes loved beauty. When Cao Cao killed Lu Bu, there were elements of Liu Bei's provocation.

In fact, even without Liu Bei, Cao Cao would have killed Lu Bu.

Because Cao Cao fell in love with the beautiful Diao Chan, in Chang'an, Lu Bu killed his adoptive father Dong Zhuo for Diao Chan.

Cao Cao himself was almost harmed by Zhang Xiu in Wancheng because of his greed for Zhang Xiu's beautiful aunt, and lost the general Dian Wei and his eldest son Cao Ang.

Lu Bu's bravery is famous all over the world, and its harm is far above Zhang Xiu. He does not want to leave such a huge hidden danger.

Guan Yu has always had a special liking for Lu Bu's Red Rabbit Horse and Diao Chan.

After Lu Bu was executed, Guan Yu dared to propose to Cao Cao that he would give Lu Bu's Red Rabbit Horse and Diao Chan as a reward, but both were rejected by Cao Cao.

Liu Bei's Mrs. Gan and Mrs. Mi are both rare beauties.

Guan Yu was afraid that Cao Cao would become lustful after seeing him, so he put forward such a condition alone.

Cao Cao didn't care much about these two conditions and agreed casually.

By the third condition, Guan Yu proposed that as long as he received news from Liu Bei, he had to go to a meeting, and Cao Cao would find it difficult to accept it.

Seeing Cao Cao hesitating, Zhang Liao immediately spoke and advised:

"Didn't you hear that Yu asked all the people to do this? Liu Xuande was so kind to Guan Yun. The Prime Minister gave his kindness even more to make his heart. Why worry about Guan Yun's dissatisfaction?"

Cao Cao was suspicious by nature and did not dare to take in a general with ulterior motives by his side. He was about to say no to the condition of rejecting Guan Yu, and looked up and saw Guo Jia winking at him constantly, and said to Zhang Liao:

"Wen Yuan's words are reasonable, I will decide after thinking about them."

Cao Cao waved his hand to ask the others to retreat, leaving Guo Jia alone, and asked Guo Jia:

"Wangxiao, do you want me to agree to Guan Yu's third condition? But what is the use of me raising Guan Yu?"

Since Guo Jia defected to Cao Cao, he gradually replaced Xi Zhicai's position in the army. He offered suggestions several times. He expected things like a god and was known as a "genius".

In fact, Guo Jia attaches great importance to the collection and application of intelligence.

This time Cao Cao's eastern expedition to Xuzhou was actually not enough to afford time.

Guan Yu could not leave the city and could only attack hard. He was likely to suffer heavy losses. Even if he killed Guan Yu, it would not be cost-effective.

As long as Guan Yu surrenders, he can get Xia Pi City in the shortest time and pacify the entire Xuzhou. This is a real benefit. Why bother with whether Guan Yu really surrenders!

Before becoming an official, Guo Jia traveled all over the country. He was very good at drinking. He met many hotel owners and smart and capable drinkers in the market, and many of them were used by him to collect information.

It’s just because Guo Jia’s family is poor and short of money, he doesn’t work well.

After joining Cao Cao, he established a special intelligence system, which was funded and operated by Cao Cao, and the results were quite good.

His predictions are as good as gods, and only three points rely on his brain to analyze, summarize, and reason. The other seven points are all derived from accurate information collection.

Guo Jia collected Guan Yu's information in a very comprehensive way.

He analyzed Guan Yu's personality and character, and did not think that Guan Yu would easily betray Liu Bei.

But he believed that keeping Guan Yu and Liu Bei's wife in Xuchang would be a good move.

If a general like Guan Yu, who is the bravest general of the three armies, could be used by Cao Cao as Zhang Liao said, it would naturally be a great reward.

Even if Guan Yu did not return home, after receiving the news from Liu Bei, he would protect Liu Bei's wife and children and would at least be a guide.

And Liu Bei's information was collected by Guo Jia even comprehensively.

He believed that Liu Bei was a good leader, but not a qualified subordinate. Whether he was dependent on Gongsun Zan or Tao Qian, he was suspected of losing the title.

And now the only person Liu Bei can defect to is Yuan Shao.

Guo Jiaxie must be unable to succeed under Yuan Shao, and he must start a new stove, so Guan Yu needs to return.

Cao Cao left Guan Yu, as long as he did not grant actual military power, there would be no harm. Instead, he became the "leader" to attack Liu Bei.

Moreover, as time goes by, there is still a lot of room for operation, and Guan Yu may play an unexpected role.

Guo Jia just explained a little, and Cao Cao suddenly realized that he immediately called Zhang Liao over and asked him to inform Guan Yu. He agreed to Guan Yu's three conditions.

(End of this chapter)
Chapter completed!